Author: Scott Dylan

Religious interest groups are preparing a series of high-profile appeals at the Supreme Court this autumn, potentially impacting the separation of church and state. These groups aim to leverage a 6-3 conservative majority that has increasingly ruled in their favour in recent years, hoping to expand the First Amendment’s free exercise clause.Several Catholic groups are contesting a New York State mandate that requires health insurance plans to cover medically necessary abortions.Muslim and Eastern Orthodox parents in Maryland seek to exempt their elementary school children from reading books on gender and sexuality, while a Tampa synagogue wishes to advertise its ice-skating…

Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent manoeuvres to prevent a government shutdown have temporarily protected his leadership role, but the true Republican internal conflicts are on the horizon.Through strategic discussions and delicate negotiations, Johnson managed to appease former President Donald Trump and avert a political disaster. Nevertheless, the challenges for his leadership are far from over.In a strategic meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Speaker Mike Johnson convinced former President Donald Trump that a government shutdown would harm their party on Election Day. Johnson presented polling data warning of potential losses for GOP House members and emphasised the risk to their majority.Johnson’s actions have temporarily…

A transformative plan to build a retirement complex on the former Wilmslow Police Station site is nearing approval. Despite financial hurdles, the project aims to cater primarily to an over-60s demographic.Chris McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd. have proposed demolishing the old police station to create 52 apartments, a mix of one and two-bedroom units.The ambitious project by Chris McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd. involves the construction of 52 apartments for the elderly on the Wilmslow Police Station site. The development, which targets individuals over 60, includes 27 one-bedroom and 25 two-bedroom flats. Notably, this investment addresses the need…

IW Capital, a prominent investor based in London, has launched a £30 million fund aimed at UK SMEs after a management buyout.Founded in 2011, IW Capital has supported around 40 startups, including WeSwap and GPDQ.The new fund will focus on companies with a proven business model and readiness to scale.The investor will offer larger funding amounts to facilitate growth in supported firms.IW Capital’s investment strategy bridges venture capital agility with private equity commitment.IW Capital, an investment firm located in London, has unveiled a new £30 million fund specifically targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the United Kingdom. This…

AB InBev’s UK arm reported deeper financial losses despite price increases over the last year.The brewer faced a pre-tax loss of £72.1m in 2023, following a series of yearly losses.Increased sales were undermined by economic challenges, including inflation and supply chain issues.Despite a positive global outlook, the UK market struggled with industry-specific downturns.AB InBev’s strategic adjustments were insufficient against persistent economic uncertainties.AB InBev UK’s financial performance deteriorated further in 2023, registering a pre-tax loss of £72.1 million. This marks a continuation of the company’s recent pattern of financial setbacks, with prior losses of £89.5 million in 2022 and £6.4 million…

Playtech has reported promising financial results for the first half of the year, driven by substantial growth in its B2B division.The company has announced an impressive return to shareholders from the recent sale of its Italian division, Snaitech.Playtech upgraded its earnings forecast thanks to robust performance in its B2B sector, resulting in an 11 per cent increase in adjusted EBITDA, reaching €243m (£202m).Revenue also rose five per cent, climbing from €859.6m to €906.8m, while post-tax profit increased 23 per cent to €105.4m.Playtech finalised an agreement to sell Snaitech to Flutter for €2.3 billion, with the deal expected to close by…

Frasers Group, owning 37% of Mulberry, has made a bid for the troubled company, criticising it for insufficient financial communication.The bid arises after auditors highlighted serious financial uncertainties within Mulberry’s operations, causing concern for stakeholders.Frasers offers 130p per share, a 30% premium over Mulberry’s recent offer price, valuing the firm at £83m.Mulberry’s recent financial downturn includes an 18% sales drop, prompting plans to raise over £10m, largely unknown to Frasers.Frasers emphasises its commitment to Mulberry’s potential, despite challenges and a lack of engagement from current management.Frasers Group, under the control of Mike Ashley, which already owns 37% of Mulberry shares,…

The recent Lancashire devolution agreement is set to bring significant changes to the region’s high-tech manufacturing sector.Enhanced local control over adult education could be crucial in addressing the skilled labour needs of these advanced industries.The UK government’s approval of a new devolution deal for Lancashire marks a pivotal moment. This agreement will transfer more powers and funds to the county, with one of the major areas of responsibility being adult education. From 2026/27, Lancashire’s newly formed Combined County Authority (CCA) will oversee the adult education budget, tailoring courses to better meet local industry requirements.”We have long-established advanced manufacturing industries in…

Plans have been unveiled for the construction of up to 430 new homes to the north west of Preston. The proposed development would be situated on land between Sidgreaves Lane and William Young Way, the new east-west link road that was opened last summer.The 22.7-hectare site in Cottam has already been identified for housing as part of a wider plan to build approximately 5,500 homes across North West Preston from the mid-2010s to the mid-2030s.Details of the Proposed DevelopmentDetails of the scheme have come to light after developer Morris Homes approached Preston City Council to ascertain whether an environmental impact…

Mulberry is seeking to bolster its finances by raising over £10m following a challenging financial year.The luxury retailer reported a pre-tax loss of £34.1m, down from a profit of £13.2m the previous year.Sales declined by 4% to £152.8m, with the second half of the year proving particularly tough.In response, new CEO Andrea Baldo has prioritised operational efficiency and strategic adjustments to regain market share.The company also intends to issue new shares and launch a retail offer to enhance its financial position.Mulberry, the well-known luxury fashion retailer, aims to raise over £10 million in cash as it confronts financial difficulties. The…